“DAYTRIP TO HONITON BEACH” 22/09/1991.
I arose early (ie: before lunch!) on Sunday 22 nd September 1991, trying to work out why I’d set my alarm clock as work was not looming large on the horizon. Then I remembered that I’d spent the previous day bashing Cromptons on the Mule (33202 & 33103 in a pair, to be exact!) and we had figured out that the 08:15 Basingstoke to Paignton was a likely candidate to drop the following morning. So up with, if not the larks, then last night stragglers coming home, for a DEMU from Reading West to Basingstoke. I arrived at Basingstoke to be greeted by 4 other fellows, to-wit: a well known shovel wielding Geordie from Bristol, a New Forest raised Salisbury fitter, friend of all 50 bashers, who would always have a few words to say to him when he removed their fine machines from trains, a fine chap from Duffield currently residing in Woking and well known for his Cannine impressions over the tannoy at that station whenever I was spotted loitering on the platform and finally a ginger haired ...